Ventilating apparatus



Nov. 25, 1958 w. A. wu LLE 0 VENTILATING APPARATUS Original Filed April25, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ITZI E' 77 [E 'T7 'Wi/Uam A. Wzz/[e Nov. 25,1958 w. A. WULLE 2,861,510

VENTILATING APPARATUS Original Filed April 23, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 EiIE'li Z'ET William A. Wzz/[e a, fqzf js Nov. 25, 1958 w. A. WULLE2,861,510

VENTILATING APPARATUS Original Filed April. 23, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 5IT'IFE 172 575 William A. Wu/le r 4 ZZ Nov. 25, 1958 w. A. WULLE2,861,510

VENTILATING APPARATUS Original Filed April 23, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IWilliam A. Walla E: L 5 Z 1 5 VENTILATING APPARATUS William A. Wulle,Chicago, 11L, assignor to The Pyle National Company, Chicago, 11]., acorporation of New Jersey Original application April 23, 1953, SerialNo. 350,607,

now Patent No. 2,775,927, dated January 1, 1957. Divided and thisapplication July 5, 1956, Serial No. 599,285

9 Claims. (Cl. 98-40) This application is a division of my applicationSerial No. 350,607, filed April 23, 1953, now Patent No. 2,775,927.

This invention relates generally to ventilating apparatus and moreparticularly to a ventilating apparatus for a compartment wherein aplurality of modular panel units are spaced from one wall of thecompartment to provide an air space between the wall and the panel unitsand selected ones of the panel units are constructed to provide plenumchambers having a diffusion plate outlet for supplying diffused air at alow velocity to the compartment, each of the panel units having a collarmember providing a valve for admitting a controlled supply of air to theplenum chamber from a source at higher pressure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular typeventilating apparatus employing a plurality of modular panel units ordiffusion units for the controlled distributicn of ventilating air.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedventilating apparatus wherein modular panel units are employed providingin part a smooth wall surface to the interior of a compartment beingventilated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apressure-displacement type ventilating apparatus wherein a primaryplenum chamber may be remotely spaced from a secondary plenum chamberand wherein the spaced apart plenum chambers may be selectivelycommunicated by a serpentine flexible sleeve-like conduit.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedflexible sleeve conduit means for a ventilating apparatus which willeffect flow communication between mis-aligned inlet and outlet aperturesprovided by spaced apart duct means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible sleeveduct for a ventilating apparatus and improved mounting means at oppositeends thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a standardizedform of ventilating apparatus which may be conveniently fabricated fromstock-piled components but which will be adaptable for installations ofdifferent supply requirements.

Many other features, advantages and additional objects of the presentinvention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon makingreference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanyingsheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodimentincorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way ofillustrative example only.

Figure 1 is an exploded view showing in perspective the variouscomponents of a ventilating apparatus incorporating the principles ofthe present invention;

Figure 2 is a reduced cross-sectional view showing additional details ofconstruction of the apparatus of Figure 1; I

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view with parts shown inelevation taken substantially on line HI III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary viewwith parts States Patent brokenaway showing additional details of construction of one of the collarunits provided in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view in the direction of the arrows shownon line VV of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line VI-VI ofFigure 2;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially online VII-VII of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of one of the collar members provided inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 9 is an elevational view with parts broken away of the collarunit of Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view with parts shown inelevation of a so-called plenum installation provided in accordance withthe principles of the present invention.

As shown on the drawings: Ventilating apparatus of the present inventioncomprises a plurality of modular panel units indicated in Figures 1 and10 generally by the reference numeral 11 which are spaced from one wall12 of a compartment to be ventilated to provide an air space 13 betweenthe wall 12 and the panel units 11.

For example, as shown in Figure 1, one wall of the compartment beingventilated may conveniently comprise an overhead wall, or ceiling, fromwhich a subceiling support structure 14 may be suspended by means ofhangers indicated at 16. The support structure conveniently takes theform of channel members to which are firmly connected a plurality ofclip runners 17 spaced and aligned to receive in clip-in assembly aplurality of pan members 13 forming one component of each of the panelunits 11. I

As is indicated in Figure 10, a plurality of pan members 18 may beprovided in side by side relationship and each of the pan members 18presents a smooth wall surface to the interior of the compartment, eachof the pan members 18 lying in adjacent co-planar relationship.

Selected ones of the panel units 11 are constructed and arranged tooperate as a diffusion means for distributing air to the compartment.

As is shown most clearly in Figure 1, the pan member 18 includes adiffuser plate 19 presenting a smooth-wall surface to the interior ofthe compartment which surface: is intersected by a large number of smallair flow passagesor openings indicated at 20. The openings 20 are provided over the entire wall surface.

At opposite margins of the plate 19 are provided upstanding flanges 21forming side walls. The side walls or flanges 21 are beaded as at 22,thereby to provide clip means for placing the pan member 18 in firmassembly with spaced clip runners 17.

As is shown, in Figures 1 and 10, each of the clip runners 17 has a pairof depending leg portions 23 recessed as at 24 to intermatingly receivethe beaded flanges 21 in clip-in assembly.

A cover member indicated generally at 26 is provided for each pan member18. Each cover member 26 is made from a flat sheet of metal including aplate portion 27 having an opening 23 formed in a central portionthereof and bounded on its margins by offset flanges 29 which are bentdownwardly at an acute angle to the plate portion 27. Each of thecorners of the'cover member 26 are notched to facilitate abutment of thelongitudinal and transverse flanges 29 and a retainer member 30 is spotwelded or otherwise attached to each of the corners after the covermember is formed into proper shape so as to retain the flanges 29 inlocked assembly.

Clip members 31 are provided on the plate portion 27 of each of thecover members 26 and engage withthel clip runners 17 as shown in Figure10.

The flanges 29 form side walls for the cover member 26 and as shown inFigure a peripheral gasket 32 made of a resilient material such asrubber or a rubber substitute may be provided on the flanges 29'. Sinceeach cover member 26 forms together with the pan member 18 a plenumchamber 33 which communicates with the air space 13 throughthe opening23, the perimeter or peripheral gasket32 finds particular utility in aventilating installation as shown in Figure 10 since the gasket 32 willprevent the diffusion of air fromth air space 13 into the compartmentthrough any flow path other than the flow path established through theopening 23, the plenum chamber 33, and the diflusionVo-penings it)provided in the plate 19 of the pan member 18. As is shown in Figure l,a flat ring member 5 5 secured to the plate portion 27 of the cover 26'surrounds the open-- ing 28 and provides a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced tongues 36 which are struck out so as to extendupwardly above the plane prescribed by the surface of the plate 27 andthe ring member 34.

A first collar member indicated generally by the reference numeral 37 isprovided toform an upstanding flange atthe-locale of the opening 28. Thedetails of construction of the first collar member 37 are clearlydisclosed in Figures 8 and 9. The member 37 comprises a radiallyextending flange 38 and the upstanding flange for the opening 28 isprovided by a generally cylindrical wall portion or flange indicated at39. An annular curved portion 49 extends between the flange 39 and theradial flange 38 so as to provide an annular valve seat for engaging avalve head member indicated generally at 41. The valve head member 41conveniently comprises a sheet form member stamped into a dish-shapedconfiguration to provide an annular rim 42 of substantiallycomplementary shape to the seat 4%) and a cup-shaped body portion 43which is adapted to be selectively received within the flange 39 so asto selectively restrict the size of the opening through the collarmember 37. A bracket member 44 spans the flange 39, lying substantiallyon a diameter thereof and having offset leg portions 46 which can beconveniently attached to the flange 39 by means of spot welding or thelike. The bracket member 44 takes the form of a sheet-form bandmediallyo ffset; as at 47 to provide a curved boss.

Adjacent the ends of the bracket member 44 are. provided apertureswhichare indicated by the reference nuinerals 48 and 49irespectively. Anelongated slot 50 is also provided atthe boss portion 47. The openings48 and 49 and the elongated slot are aligned on a bias, in

other words, the enumerated openings are acutely inclined with respectto the normal axis of the bracket member 44 and it may be noted that theangle of inclination is preferably correlated to the pitch angle of athreaded bolt indicated at 51. e

A rod form spring member 52 abuts against one face of the bracket member44 and is provided with a medially offset boss portion indicated at 53shaped in a curved Egnfiguration complementary to the curved bossportion One end portion of the spring member 52 is olfset as at 54 andpasses through, the opening 48 to engage the opposite face of thebracket member 44, the offset portion 514 lying on an axis generallyparallel to the. main axis of the spring member 52. r

The opposite end of the spring member 52 is ofiset as at 56 and extendsthrough the opening 49, the oflset portion 56 being bent generallytransversely of the main 7 length axis of the spring member 52 and alsoengaging the opposite face of'the bracket member 44. It will be evidentthat the particular bending arrangement of the offset portions 54 and 56facilitates assembly of the spring member 52 through the openings 48 and49 with the offset boss portion 53 extending through the elongated slot50 thereby to. form together with the offset boss portion 47 anadjustment nut means for threadedly mating with the bolt 51.

As is indicated in the drawings, the bolt 51 is threadedly adjusted inthe nut means afforded by the boss portions 47 and 53 and forms thethreaded valve stem for the valve head 41.

A wing nut 57 is attached to one end of the bolt 51 and facilitatesthreadedly adjusting the bolt 51 for adjusting the valve head 41relative to the seat 40, thereby to selectively control the flow of airthrough the collar member 37. A lock nut 58 retains the valve head 41 infirm assembly with the bolt 51, serving to clamp the valve head 41against the wing nut 57.

As is shown in Figure 8, a plurality of circumferentially spacedopenings 59 are provided in the radial flange 38 of the collar member37. The openings 59 take the form of elongated slots adapted to receivethe lugs 36 provided on the ring member 34, thereby to eflect a bayonetcoupling action. A felt pad 64 may be provided between the ring member37 and the flange 38.

It will be noted that the flange 38 is further provided with a pluralityof circumferentially spaced recesses indicated by the reference numeral61 (Figure 8). On the inside surface of the cover member 26 is provideda locator spring indicated at 62 and attached to the cover member 26 bya fastener 63. A curved portion 64 terminates in a locator pin 66 andselectively seats in one of the recesses or openings 61 thereby topreclude relative movement which might inadvertently disconnect thecollar member 37 from the cover member 26 In the embodiment of Figure10, an air supply conduit 67 furnishes a supply of pressurized air tothe air space 13 so that the air space 13 functions as a primary plenumchamber. Each of the respective collar members 37 on the variousselected panel units will admit a controlled supply of pressurized airfrom the air space 13 into each of the respective plenum chambers 33 fordiffused distribution outwardly through the plate 19 of the pan member18.

It will be evident that the apparatus described above may be installedin a sequence of installation which permits the pan members 18 to besnapped in place after all of the other components are already assembledon the support structure 14. By virtue of such arrangement, each of theindividual valving units in the respective 001-. lar members 37 may beselectively adjusted to effect an air balance for theparticularcompartment being ventilated. In other words, all of thevalving units in the respective collar members 37 may be selectivelyadjusted for varying load conditions before ceiling erection. Fur-vthermore with the arrangement of the present invention, alladjustmentsmay beeffected without requiring the use of tools since the variousvalving units may be manually adjusted through turning of the wing nuts57 and thereafter all of the pan members 18 may be manually snapped inplace.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, a separate duct 68 is provided in the airspace 13 and is adapted to carry a supply of pressurized ventilatingair. The duct 68 preferably takes the form of a thin wall structurehaving a plurality of openings 69 comprising outlet openings forsupplying ventilating air to selected panel units 11 in the sub-ceilingsuspended from the support structure 14. or otherwise spaced from thewall 12 of the compartment.

For each outlet opening 69 a second collar member 70 is provided, thedetailed structure of which is shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5. Each collermember '70 comprises a radially extending flange 71 and an axiallyextending flange 72; The. axially extending flange 72 is generallycylindrical in configuration and the diameter thereof correspondsgenerally to the size of the opening 69.

In the flange 72 is provided a plurality of circumferentially spacedopenings indicated generally at 73. A plurality of springclip members 74corresponding in number to the opening 73 are also provided Each clipmember 74 includes a first leg 76 overlying one side of the flange 72and including a lug 77 received in the recess or opening 73.

Each clip member 74 further includes a second leg member 78 whichoverlies the opposite side of the flange 72 and which projects beyondthe radial flange 71.

A radially outwardly offset lug 79 is provided on the second leg 78 andis preferably spaced from the radial flange 71 so as to clamp the edgeportions of the duct 68 surrounding the opening 69 therebetween. Agasket 80 may be interposed between the radial flange 71 and the duct63. The second leg 78 may also be offset as at 81 to improve theresilience of the spring clip member 74.

The second leg 78 of each spring clip member 74 is provided with anacutely inclined portion indicated at 82 which provides a slidingsurface 83. When the clip members 74- are mounted on the flange 72, allof the sliding surfaces 83 will incline inwardly so that the collar maybe attached to the duct merely by inserting the inclined portions 82through the opening 69 whereupon the sliding portions 83 will engage theedges of the duct 68 around the opening 69 and will permit snap-inengagement of the collar member 70 with the duct 68.

A flexible sleeve 84 is attached to the flange 72 at one end, forexample, as by cementing and to the flange 39 at the other end so as toprovide a flexible conduit between the duct 68 and the panel unit 11. Itwill be noted from the drawings that the flexible sleeve 84 preferablytakes the form of a serpentine tube having corrugated side walls capableof being flexed in both lateral and longitudinal direction. This is anadvantageous provision as will be noted in referring to Figure 2, theopening 69 in the duct 68 of Figure 2 being shown as considerablymis-aligned with respect to the opening 28 in the cover member 26. Theflexible sleeve 84 provides an air flow passage between the openings,thereby affording considerable tolerance in installation procedures.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in theart, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope ofthe patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably andproperly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A ventilating apparatus, comprising, a duct carrying pressurized airand having an outlet aperture in one wall thereof, a first collar havinga flange around said outlet aperture, said flange having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced openings, a spring clip for each opening havinga first leg overlying one side of said flange and a lug formed in saidfirst leg and received in a corresponding opening, said clip having asecond leg overlying the other side of said flange and extending beyondsaid flange, said second leg forming a radially outwardly retainerportion for clip-on engagement with the edges of said opening in saidone wall, an air distributor unit having an inlet aperture formedtherein, a second collar forming a flange around said inlet aperture,said second collar and said air distributor unit having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced openings and a correspondiug plurality ofstruck-out lugs formed therein and operatively disposed therebetween foreffecting turn-on engagement of said second collar with said airdistributor unit at said edges of said inlet aperture, a flexibletubular sleeve receiving said collars at opposite ends thereof and infirm assembly therewith, bracket means bridging one of said collars andhaving adjustment nut means mounted thereon, a bolt threaded into saidadjustment nut means and advanced axially with respect to thecorresponding flange, and a valve plate on the end of said bolt toselectively adjust the effective size of the opening through the collarupon threadedly positioning the bolt and the nut means to admitcontrolled quantities of air from the duct into the air distributorunit.

2. in a room ventilating apparatus, an air distributing unit having aninlet opening therein, a collar for said opening having a valve therein,and a sleeve of flexible material having one end connected to saidcollar to carry air for diffused distribution through said airdistributor unit, said sleeve having means at its other end to connectsaid sleeve to a source of ventilating air at higher pressure, saidconnecting means on said other end of said sleeve comprising a collarhaving a radial flange for abutting the adjoining edges of an openingfrom said source and an axial flange received in said sleeve, said axialflange having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings, a springclip for each opening having a first leg overlying one side of saidaxial flange and providing a lug received in a corresponding opening anda second leg overlying the other side of said axial flange andprojecting beyond said radial flange, said second leg having a radiallyextending lug spaced from said radial flange to clamp the edges around aduct opening therebetween.

3. In a ventilating apparatus, a duct having a thin wall with an openingformed therein, and a collar on said wall having an upstanding flangefor said wall at said opening, said collar having a radial flangeconnected to said wall at the edges of said opening, said upstandingflange having circumferentially spaced openings, and a clip for eachopening having a first leg overlying one side of said flange andproviding a lug seated in a corresponding opening, and having a secondleg overlying the opposite side of 4 said flange and projecting beyondsaid radial flange, said second leg having a lug spaced from said radialflange and clamping said wall edges therebetween.

4. In a ventilating apparatus as defined in claim 3, a serpentineflexible sleeve having one end connected to said collar and an airdiffuser unit on the opposite end of said sleeve to diffuse airoutwardly from said duct.

5. In a ventilating apparatus, duct means having a thin wall providingan opening, a collar on said wall providing an upstanding flange at saidopening, a bracket member spanning said flange and comprising a bandmedially offset to provide a curved boss on one face of said band, saidband having spaced apart openings adjacent the respective ends thereofon opposite sides of said curved boss and an elongated slot at saidcurved boss, a rod-form spring member abutting said one face of saidbracket member and having offset end portions received in said.

openings and an offset medial portion received in said elongated slot,said offset medial portion being curved complementally to said bossportion and being inclined with respect thereto to form togethertherewith the thread of a nut means for receiving a threaded valve stemto selectively restrict the opening through the collar upon adjustingthe stern in the collar.

6. In a ventilating apparatus, duct means having a thin wall providingan opening, a collar on said wall providing an upstanding flange at saidopening, a bracket member spanning said flange and comprising a bandmedially offset to provide a curved boss on one face of said band, saidband having spaced apart openings adjacent the respec tive ends thereofon opposite sides of said curved boss and an elongated slot at saidcurved boss, a rod-form spring member abutting said one face of saidbracket member and having offset end portions received in said openingsand an offset medial portion received in said elongated slot, saidoffset medial portion being curved complementally to said boss portionand being inclined with respect thereto to form together therewith thethread of a nut means, and a threaded valve stem in said nut meanshaving a valve head thereon to selectively restrict the opening throughthe collar upon adjusting the stem in said nut means.

7. In a ventilating apparatus, a diffuser unit to distribute ventilatingair having a thin wall providing an opening, and a collar to provide anupstanding flange for said wall at said opening, a bracket memberbridging said upstanding flange of said collar, and a rod form springmember carried by said bracket member, both of said 7 members havingmedial portions bent outwardly and said rod form spring member beinginclined to together form the thread of a nut, a bolt threaded into saidthread and a valve on said bolt to selectively restrict the openingthrough said collar upon threadedly positioning said bolt in saidmembers.

8. In combination with a wall or a ceiling of a space to be ventilatedhaving an inner Wall spaced interiorly of the wall or ceiling, aventilating system comprising, a supply duct having an inlet adapted toreceive a supply of ventilating air at increased pressure, said supplyduct extending into the space behind said inner wall and having aplurality of separate spaced apart outlet apertures formed therein, acorresponding plurality of outlet units, a collar for each respectiveoutlet aperture connected to said supply duct and having a flange aroundthe corresponding outlet aperture, said flange having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced openings formed therein, a spring clip for eachopening having a first leg overlying one side of said flange andproviding a lug received in a corresponding opening, said clip having asecond leg overlying the other side of said flange and extending beyondsaid flange to provide a radially outwardly retainer portion for clip-onengagement with the edges of said outlet aperture, a flexible conduitconnected at one end to said collar, a terminal air distributor at thefree end of each said conduit having an outlet formed therein throughwhich air is discharged, and mounting means connecting said airdistributor to said inner wall, said air distributor together with saidinner wall forming a finished surface for the interior of the spacebeing ventilated.

9. In combination with a wall or a ceiling of a space to be ventilatedhaving an inner wall spaced interiorly of the wall or ceiling, aventilating system comprising, a supply duct having an inlet adapted toreceive a supply of ventilating air at increased pressure, said supplyduct extending into the space behind said inner wall and having aplurality of separate spaced apart outlet apertures formed therein, acorresponding plurality of outlet units, a first collar for each outletaperture mounted on said supply duct and having a flange around eachcorresponding outlet aperture, said flange having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced openings formed therein, a spring clip for eachopening having a first leg overlying one side of said flange, said firstleg forming a lug received in a corresponding opening, said clip havinga second leg overlying the other side of said flange and extendingbeyond said flange, said second leg forming a radially outwardlyextending retainer portion for clip-on engagement with the edges of saidoutlet aperture, a flexible conduit connected at one end to said collar,a terminal air distributor at the free end of said conduit providing anoutlet through which air is discharged, a second collar having aplurality of circurn-ferentially spaced openings formed therein, saidair distributor having a corresponding plurality of struck-out lugsreceived in said openings for effecting turn-on engagement of saidcollar with said air distributor at the edges of said inlet aperture,the other end of said flexible conduit being connected to said secondcollar, and mounting means connecting said air distributor to said innerwall, said air distributor together with said inner wall forming afinished surface for the interior of the space being ventilated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS249,103 Schafer Nov. 1, 1881 502,269 Baldwin Aug. 1, 1893 1,499,962Barnes July 1, 1924 2,413,402 Becker Dec. 31, 1946 2,416,964 Stull Mar.4, 1947 2,550,810 Heidbrink May 1, 1951 2,664,550 Howard Dec. 29, 19532,683,408 Brown et al July 13, 1954 2,772,624 Carnes Dec. 4, 1956FOREIGN PATENTS 375,862 Great Britain July 4, 1932

